Golf training device

ABSTRACT

A stanchion carries a pair of vertically spaced and outwardly extending arms of cellular plastic material arranged to permit the head portion of a golf club to pass between the free ends thereof when the club is swung through a generally desired arc relative to a ball position. The arms are vertically adjustable and releasably coupled to the stanchion so that either and both arms may separate therefrom if struck by any portion of the club.

United States Patent Inventor Frank D. Macri 27 Button St., Meriden, Conn. 06450 Appl. N 0. 726,004

Filed May 2, 1968 Patented Jan. 12, 1971 GOLF TRAINING DEVICE I 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 273/ 186, 273/195 Int. Cl A63b 69/36 Field ofSearch 273/186,

191,192,1065, 26, 95, 163, 188; 46/241, 242; 272/59(1): 248/206lall), 221, 125. 74

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 499,000 6/1893 Wilson 273/95 2/1899 Pinault..... 248/125X Burgoyne et al 273/ 1 86 Smith 248/206(A)X Seeley 273/186 Bertling.... 248/74X Smith 273/163 Zedaker 272/59( 1 )X Engle et al. 273/186 Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo AltorneyMcCormick, Paulding & Huber ABSTRACT: A stanchion carries a pair of vertically spaced and outwardly extending arms of cellular plastic material arranged to permit the head portion of a golf club to pass between the free ends thereof when the club is swung through a generally desired arc relative to a ball position. The arms are vertically adjustable and releasably coupled to the stanchion so that either and both arms may separate therefrom if struck by any portion of the club.

PATENTEU JAN 1 21921 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENIOR. FRANK 0. MACRI ATTORNEYS GOLF TRAINING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This'invention relates in general to golf training devices and deals more particularly with a practice device for aiding a golfer to perfect his swing.

To properly execute a golf swing a golfer must control his club so that it swings through an arc generally in a plane defined by a ball position and an imaginary line across his shoulders when he has assumed a proper stance relative to the ball position.

The general aim of the present invention. is to provide a training device to indicate to a golfer when he has swung his club out of a desired plane either during a back or forward swing. A further aim of the invention is to provide a device which may be used'under actually or simulated game conditions to provide indication of improper club swing without risk of damage to either the club or the device and which may be adjusted to detect error in varying degrees of swing proficiency.

' SUMMARY or INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a device is provided wherein at least one arm extends laterally outwardly from a support member. The arm is arranged to permit the head of a golf club to pass in close proximity to the free end thereof when the club is swung through a generally desired are relative to a ball position and is releasably coupled to the support member to readily separate therefrom when struck by a portion of the club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS shown partially in section.

DETAILED nesciurriou OFPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Tuming'now to the drawings and referring first particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, a device-embodying the invention and indicated generally at comprises a support member indicated generally at 12 and upper and lower aims respectively indicated at 14 and 16. The arms are releasably'coupled to the support member and are vertically adjustable relative thereto and to each other and are further arranged in parallel vertically spaced relation so that the head portion of a golf club 18 may pass between the free end portions of the arms when the club is swung through a generally desired arc relative to a ball position. When either and both of the arms 14 and 16 are struck by any portion of the golf'club, as when an improper swing is executed, the arms readily separate from the support member 12. v

The device 10 as shown in FIG. l'includes a panel or mat 20 adapted to be placed on a floor or on the ground in a predetermined position relative to the support member 12. The mat 20 should appear to a golfer assuming a proper stance in relation to the device.

The device may be used by either a rightor a left-handed golfer but is shown set up for right-handed use, the generally desired path of club head travel being indicated by the imprinted line 26. The actual path of club head travel through an arc of a desired swing is indicated at 28. To aid a golfer to assume a proper driving stance, a line 30 is imprinted on the mat 20.and extends through the ball position 22 and normal to the line 24. It is recommended that the inside of the golfer's left heel be aligned with the line 30 when a driver is used. An imprinted line 32 parallel to the line 30 and spaced therefrom in the direction of the support member 12 indicates a suggested alternate position of the left heel for an iron shot. The ball position may also be adjusted with reference to the latter line. Additional instructions for using the device are or may be also imprinted on the mat 20.

When the device is used by a left-handed golfer the position of the support member 12 isreversed with respect to the mat 20 so that the arms 14 and 16 extend normal to the line 24 but in a direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 1. In such instance, the support member is positioned in alignment with a support base outline 34 also imprinted on the mat 20. In FIG. 2 the device is shown as used under practice or actual playing conditions without the mat 20 and positioned relative to a ball 36 supported by atee 38.

The support member 12 may be made from various materials and may take various forms, but preferably and as shown, it includes a base 40 providing support for a vertically oriented post or stanchion 42. The base 40 is preferably molded or otherwise formed from plastic material and is provided with a 1 central socket 44 opening therethrough to receive and v the stanchion may be pushed through the base and into the may be made from paper, fabric, or other suitable material member 12 generally normal to the ball flight path line 24.

The general path of club head travel relative to the ball position 22 is also preferably imprinted on the mat 20 as this path ground forgreater stability or, if desired, may be removed from its base and inserted into the ground.

Each arm is carried by an associated adjustable part or U- shaped spring clip 48 received on" the stationary part or stanchion 24 and vertically adjustable relative thereto. The clips 48, 48 are made from a magnetic material such as ferrous flat metal and each includes a central portion 50 having a generally vertically disposed surface 52. Opposing legs 54, 54 extend from the central portion and are biased in opposite directions relative each to the other. Each leg 54 has a circular opening 56 therethrough having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the stanchion24 which extends therethrough. With reference to FIG. 3 it will be noted that when the legs 54, 54 are biased to their full line position, the peripheral edges of the openings 56, 56 engage and grip the stanchion 42 to retain the clip in selected position thereon. To selectively position the clip 48 on the'stanchion 42 the free end portions of the legs 54, 54 are'sprung toward each other or to their broken line positions as shown in FIG. 3 so that the clip may slide freely on the stanchion.

It is generally desirable that.the arms 14 and 16 be made from a material which when struck by a golf club will neither damage the club nor be damaged thereby. It is further desirable that the arms be light in weight so that they will not travel for a great distance when dislodged or separated from the support member by a blow from the club. A resilient impact absorbent material which after deformation returns slowly to its original shape is particularly well suited for making the arms. The potential energy stored in such material by deformation is released slowly, therebylessening the tendency of the arms to rebound or fly for a considerable distance when struck. Foam or cellular plastic materials of either open or closed cell type which has a density in the range of from I to 5 pounds per cubic foot has been found particularly satisfactory for this purpose.

The shape of the arms may vary, however, for convenience in manufacture the arms 14 and 16 are cut from sheet material and have a generally rectangular cross section. The upper arm 14 is preferably 18 inches in length and has a mark 58 imprinted thereon 14 inches from the free end thereof, as shown in FIG. 1, so that it may be used as a gauge for positioning the upper clip 48 on the stanchion 42 as hereinafter discussed. The inner end'portion of the lower arm 16 is vertically offset to clear the base 40 to permit the lower arm to be releasably coupled to the lower clip 48 and adjusted to a position adjacent the ground, as shown in FIG. 2. To aid the golfer in executing a proper backswing the lower arm 16 is provided with a wide band or strip marking 60 on its upper surface and over which the club head should pass on the backswing, as shown in FIG. 1.

At its inner end, each of the arms is recessed to receive an associated magnet 62 which is retained in assembly with the arm by a cap 64 as best shown in FIG. 3. The magnet 62 includes pole surfaces 66 and 68 exposed at the inner end of the arm for'coengagement with the surface 52 on an associated clip 48. The magnets 62, 62 and the clips 48, 48 cooperate to provide magnetic means for releasably coupling the arms to the support member 12.

When a golfer uses the device for the first time it is recommended that the upper clip 48 and its associated arm 14 be positioned approximately 18 inches above the ground. As the golfer improves his swing the upper arm may be progres sively lowered until it is positioned approximately 14 inches above the ground. The upper arm may be used as a guage for positioning the upper clip 48 on the stanchion 24 to attain the desired vertical adjustment. For driving practice the lower arm 16 is generally positioned adjacent the ground as shown in the drawings, however, in practicing certain iron shots it may be desirable to position the lower arm above the ground. It will be noted that the clips 48, 48 are connected to the stanchion 42 so that they will not separate therefrom when either the arm 14 or the arrn16 is struck by a portion of a golf club and dislodged from its associated clip.

When the device is used at a driving range it is generally desirable that at least the upper arm 14 be tied to the stanchion 42 by an elongated cord such as indicated at 69 in FIG. 2. The cord limits the distance that the arm is free to travel when struck by the club and facilitates retrieval of the arm.

Referring now to FIG. 4 another device embodying the invention and indicated generally at-10a comprises a support member 12a carrying upper and lower arms respectively indicated at 14 and 16 and substantially identical to those previously described. While the device 10a is similar in most respects to the previously described embodiment 10 it differs therefrom in the construction and arrangementof its support member 120. Specifically, the support member 120 comprises a stanchion 424 which includes tubular telescopically engaging upper and lower parts respectively indicated at 70 and 72. The upper part 70 is adjustable relative to the lower part 72 through a range of positions between a raised or full line position and a lowered position indicated by broken lines. The stanchion 42a maybe supported by a base similar to the base 40 or maybe inserted into the ground as shown. At its lower end the lowerpart 72 has a pointed plug 46a. A collar 74 secured to the lower part 72 above the plug 460 serves as a stop to indicate the depth to which the lower part 72 is to be inserted into the ground.

The lower arm 16 is carried by a spring clip 48 received on and adjustable relative to the lower part 72. However, the upper arm 14 is releasably coupled to the upper part 70 and is vertically adjustable therewith. A member 76 made from magnetic material and welded or otherwise suitably secured in a fixed position to the upper part 70 includes a vertically disposed surface portion 78 which cooperates with the pole surfaces of the magnet 62 carried by the upper arm 14 to releasably couple the arm to the stanchion 46a. In its raised position the arm 14 is preferably approximately l8 inches above the ground. A pin 80 inserted transversely through apertures in the lower part 72 provides a positioning stop for the upper part 70 so that the arm 14 in its lowered position is disposed approximately 14 inches from the ground.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and such embodiments have been described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A golf training device comprising a support member including a generally vertically disposed stanchion, at least one spring clip biased into engagement with said stanchion for vertical adjustment thereon, an arm carried by said clip and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said arm being' arranged to permit the head of a golf club to pass in close proximity tothe free end portion thereof when the club is swung through a desired are relative to a ball position, said clip and said arm having coengageable surface portions comprising means for releasably coupling said arm to said support member to enable said arm to readily separate from said support member when struck by a portion of the club.

2. A golf training device toaid a golfer to develop a desired club swing relative to a stationary ball position comprising a support member including a stationary part, means for supporting said stationary part to'Qextend generally vertically upwardly from a horizontal surface, and at least one adjustable part carried by said stationary part and vertically adjustable relative thereto and to the horizontal surface, at least one arm, one end portion of said arm and said adjustable part having coengageable surface positions comprising coupling means for releasably retaining said arm in a cantilever position on said support member to extend laterally outwardly therefrom above the ball position to permit a portion of a golf club to pass in close proximity to the free end portion of said arm when the club is swung through a desired are relative to the ball position and to enable said arm to readily separate fromv said support member when struck by a portion of the club.

3. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said adjustable part is connected to said stationary part so that it will'not separate therefrom when said arm is struck by the club and separates from said adjustable part.

4. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stationary part has a lower end portion adapted to penetrate the ground and comprising said means for supporting said stationary part.

5. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 including two adjustable parts and two arms, each of said arms being releasably coupled to an associated one of said adjustable parts, said arms being arranged in vertically spaced relation to each other to permit a portion of the club to pass between the free end portions of said arms when swung through the desired are, either and both of said arms being readily separable from said support member when struck by a portion of the golf club.

6. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of said surface portions is made from magnetic material and the other of said surface portions has magnet means as-' sociated therewith.

7. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 including a panel adapted to be horizontally disposed on said surface in a predetermined position relative to said support member, said panel having indicia of said ball position thereon.

8. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting said stationary part comprises a base having a socket adapted to receive and releasably retain the lower end portion of said stationary part.

9. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support member includes a telescopic stanchion having upper and lower parts, said lower part comprising said stationary part, said upper part comprising said adjustable part.

10. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said arm is made from a resilient material which returns slowly to its original shape after deformation.

11. A golf training device as set forth in claim wherein *zg gi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pate 3.554,555 .Dated January l2 1971 Inve t -(Q Frank D. Maori It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 4, line so, "16" should read ---2'--; line 59, "16" should read --2--; line 64, "16" should read --2-.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of April 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A golf training device comprising a support member including a generally vertically disposed stanchion, at least one spring clip biased into engagement with said stanchion for vertical adjustment thereon, an arm carried by said clip and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said arm being arranged to permit the head of a golf club to pass in close proximity to the free end portion thereof when the club is swung through a desired arc relative to a ball position, said clip and said arm having coengageable surface portions comprising means for releasably coupling said arm to said support member to enable said arm to readily separate from said support member when struck by a portion of the club.
 2. A golf training device to aid a golfer to develop a desired club swing relative to a stationary ball position comprising a support member including a stationary part, means for supporting said stationary part to extend generally vertically upwardly from a horizontal surface, and at least one adjustable part carried by said stationary part and vertically adjustable relative thereto and to the horizontal surface, at least one arm, one end portion of said arm and said adjustable part having coengageable surface positions comprising coupling means for releasably retaining said arm in a cantilever position on said support member to extend laterally outwardly therefrom above the ball position to permit a portion of a golf club to pass in close proximity to the free end portion of said arm when the club is swung through a desired arc relative to the ball position and to enable said arm to readily separate from said support member when struck by a portion of the club.
 3. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said adjustable part is connected to said stationary part so that it will not separate therefrom when said arm is struck by the club and separates from said adjustable part.
 4. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stationary part has a lower end portion adapted to penetrate the ground and comprising said means for supporting said stationary part.
 5. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 includIng two adjustable parts and two arms, each of said arms being releasably coupled to an associated one of said adjustable parts, said arms being arranged in vertically spaced relation to each other to permit a portion of the club to pass between the free end portions of said arms when swung through the desired arc, either and both of said arms being readily separable from said support member when struck by a portion of the golf club.
 6. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of said surface portions is made from magnetic material and the other of said surface portions has magnet means associated therewith.
 7. A golf training device as set forth in claim 16 including a panel adapted to be horizontally disposed on said surface in a predetermined position relative to said support member, said panel having indicia of said ball position thereon.
 8. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting said stationary part comprises a base having a socket adapted to receive and releasably retain the lower end portion of said stationary part.
 9. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support member includes a telescopic stanchion having upper and lower parts, said lower part comprising said stationary part, said upper part comprising said adjustable part.
 10. A golf training device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said arm is made from a resilient material which returns slowly to its original shape after deformation.
 11. A golf training device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said arm is made from a cellular material of low density.
 12. A golf training device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said material has a density in the range of from 1 to 5 pounds per cubic foot. 